All posts filed under: Theater

Kokoy De Santos-starrer Ateng

ATENG: A Revival That Hits Hard

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Some plays entertain. Some plays provoke. And then there are productions like ATENG — the kind that manage to do both with disarming precision. On November 13, I attended the press preview of the show a day before its official run. You would agree with me that even from the snippets I’m sharing with you alone (see my YouTube vlog below), it was clear: panalo na. The room was alive — laughter bouncing off the walls one minute, and an almost reverent stillness the next. ATENG doesn’t simply tell a story; it pulls its audience into a memory — personal or collective — whether we are prepared for it or not. The production marks the revival of the 2005 Palanca Award-winning one-act play by Vincent de Jesus. Known for narratives that fuse wit and wounded truth, de Jesus once again offers a script that feels universal yet deeply intimate. This staging runs from November 14 to December 7 at RAMPA Drag Club, transforming a nightlife venue into a raw, compact storytelling arena. In a way, …

Philippine–Italian Chamber Music Concer

Philippine–Italian Chamber Music Concert Takes Center Stage on Oct. 16

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Two cultures, one stage, and a shared devotion to the beauty of music — this is the spirit behind the Filipino-Italian Chamber Music Concert happening on October 16, 2025, at the Asia Pacific College Auditorium, 3 Humabon Place, Magallanes, Makati City. Presented by the Philippine Italian Association (PIA) in collaboration with the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), and made possible through the support of Joel’s Place and 98.7 DZFE-FM The Master’s Touch, the concert highlights the seamless harmony between Filipino emotion and Italian musical tradition. A Cross-Cultural Evening Led by Maestro Alessio Benvenuti At the forefront of the performance is Maestro Alessio Benvenuti, the MSO’s concertmaster and a Makati-based violinist whose career has spanned continents. Since 1996, he has performed in over 2,000 concerts across the United States, South America, Central America, Asia, Tunisia, and Europe — each stage sharpening the unmistakable artistry he brings back to the Philippines. He is joined by an ensemble of exceptional musicians: Alfonso Encina (Violin II), Sara Gonzales (Viola), Arnold Josue (Cello), Lawrence Palad (Bass), and Mariel Ilusorio (Piano). Together, …

Theater Scene: DUP’s Six Characters in Search of an Author | Anim na Tauhang Naghahanap ng May-Akda

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WE’VE HAD ENOUGH of musicals recently (‘Ang Huling El Bimbo,’ ‘Eto Na! Musikal nAPO Sila‘), so when given a chance to see Dulaang UP’s 43rd Theatre Season opening play, Luigi Pirandello’s masterpiece, ‘Six Characters in Search of an Author’ and its Filipino translation by Rody Vera, ‘Anim na Tauhang Naghahanap ng May-Akda,’ we grabbed it right away. (Thanks to Merwyn of DUP’s marketing for the invite.) It’s been quite a few seasons since we last watched a Dulaang UP (Unibersidad ng Pilipinas) play. Today was a must, to say the least, so we decided to catch the play’s Filipino translation: ‘Anim na Tauhang Naghahanap ng May-Akda’ at 3 p.m. With Professor Emeritus Tony Mabesa, Founding Artistic Director of Dulaang UP, at the helm, one could expect nothing less from this seminal work of modern theater. Written in 1921, ‘Six Characters in Search of an Author’ is a meta-drama about characters looking for an author to finish their tragic stories. It is the first of the three play-offerings for this season. DUP’s new Artistic Director, Banaue …

Ang Dressing Room Theater Play

Japanese play ‘The Dressing Room’ hits UP stage

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HERE’S ANOTHER TREAT for Filipino theatergoers. The Filipino version of the a Japanese play by Shimizu Kunio will be staged by Dulaang UP of the University of the Philippines starting April 13. Known as ‘Ang Dressing Room: Kung Saan Lubusang Pangungulila Ang Dulot Ng Agos Ng Panahon,’ the play features multi-awarded actor, Roeder Camanag leading the all-male cast for female roles.